Jeremiah 31:19 kjv
Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth.
Jeremiah 31:19 nkjv
Surely, after my turning, I repented; And after I was instructed, I struck myself on the thigh; I was ashamed, yes, even humiliated, Because I bore the reproach of my youth.'
Jeremiah 31:19 niv
After I strayed, I repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast. I was ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
Jeremiah 31:19 esv
For after I had turned away, I relented, and after I was instructed, I struck my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded, because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
Jeremiah 31:19 nlt
I turned away from God,
but then I was sorry.
I kicked myself for my stupidity!
I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in my younger days.'
Jeremiah 31 19 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremiah 31:19 | Indeed, after I turned back, I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote my thigh; surely I am ashamed, yea, even confounded, because of the reproach of my youth. | God's faithfulness and Ephraim's repentance |
| Hosea 2:15 | And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. | Israel's restored joy like youth |
| Isaiah 54:4-8 | Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded: for thou shalt not put to shame; for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more. For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, and as a wife of youth, when she is put away, saith thy God. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer. | God's mercy erasing past shame |
| Luke 15:17-24 | And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, he saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. | Prodigal son's repentance and father's welcome |
| 2 Corinthians 7:10 | For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. | Repentance from godly sorrow |
| Jeremiah 3:22 | Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. | God's invitation to return |
| Jeremiah 17:1-2 | The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; Whilst their children remember their altars and their groves and their oaks, and that green tree, upon the hills, in the high places. | Israel's persistent sin etched on their hearts |
| Ezekiel 16:43, 60-63 | Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine own head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not do this lewdness above all thine abominations. Nevertheless I will remember the covenant that I made with thee in the days of thy youth, and will make with thee an everlasting covenant. Then thou shalt remember thy ways, and be ashamed, when thou shalt receive thy sisters, thine elder and thy younger: and I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by thy covenant. And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth again because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD. | God remembering His covenant despite Israel's sin; their shame upon His forgiveness |
| Hosea 11:1-4 | When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images. I taught Ephraim also to go, taking them by the arms; but they knew not that I healed them. I drew them with cords of a man, with cords of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them. | God's fatherly care for Israel (Ephraim) |
| Romans 8:18 | For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. | Future glory surpassing present suffering |
| Hebrews 12:5-11 | And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all ye are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. | The purpose of chastisement in fatherly love |
| Isaiah 66:8 | Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be brought forth in a day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. | Sudden spiritual rebirth |
| Acts 2:37-38 | Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. | Call to repentance and receiving the Spirit |
| Zechariah 12:10 | And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. | Mourning in repentance |
| Matthew 11:20-24 | Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, have reached unto Sodom, which would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. | Warning against unrepentant cities |
| Proverbs 2:1-5 | My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and treasure up my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. | Seeking wisdom and understanding |
| Galatians 4:19 | My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, | Spiritual labor and growth |
| James 5:16 | Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. | Confession and prayer |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession and forgiveness |
| John 14:26 | But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. | The Holy Spirit as teacher and reminder |
Jeremiah 31 verses
Jeremiah 31 19 Meaning
This verse speaks of Ephraim's repentance and subsequent remembrance of God's dealings with them, particularly in their youth. It highlights God's tender, fatherly affection and His persistent faithfulness despite Ephraim's rebellion. The "fierce desire" points to a deep-seated longing for God, while "making a lamentation" signifies mourning over past sins. Ultimately, it signifies reconciliation and renewed fellowship with God.
Jeremiah 31 19 Context
Jeremiah 31 is a chapter filled with prophecy of restoration for Israel after their exile. It foretells a new covenant, a return to the land, and spiritual renewal. Verse 19 fits into this larger picture as it details the internal, personal aspect of this restoration: the genuine repentance of the people. Historically, this prophecy addresses the aftermath of the Babylonian exile, speaking of a future hope. It speaks to the exiles themselves, assuring them that God's love and commitment remain, even after their punishment. The verse anticipates a time when the sinfulness of their past, especially their youthful rebellion and idolatry, will be a source of shame and a catalyst for deeper repentance and turning back to God.
Jeremiah 31 19 Word analysis
Indeed ( כִּי - ki) - Often used as an introductory particle, it can mean "surely," "truly," "for," or "indeed." Here, it strongly affirms the following statement about repentance.
after I turned back ( שּׁוּב - shuv) - A very common Hebrew verb meaning "to return," "turn back," "repent." It signifies a complete change of direction, both physically and spiritually. It is a key word in the prophetic calls for repentance.
I repented ( נָחַם - nacham) - This verb can mean "to repent," "to be sorry," "to comfort oneself." In the context of God, it means to relent. When referring to humans, it implies remorse and a change of heart. This is a genuine, inward turning.
and after I was instructed ( לָמַד - lamad) - Meaning "to learn," "to be taught," "to instruct." This refers to the chastisement and teaching that led to the repentance. It emphasizes the educational aspect of discipline.
I smote my thigh ( טוּף - taph / הִכֵּיתִי - hikketi) - The action of striking one's thigh is a gesture of deep distress, grief, or shame. It's an outward sign of inward turmoil and regret, a common idiom in the ancient Near East.
surely I am ashamed ( בּוֹשׁ - bush) - Means "to be ashamed," "to be put to confusion," "to be disgraced." This indicates a profound sense of personal failure and guilt.
yea, even confounded ( חָרַד - charad / מְבֻלָּב - mevullah / הִכְלִמְתִּי - hichlamti) - "Confounded" can also translate as "terrified," "made to tremble," or "utterly put to shame." This intensifies the shame, suggesting a complete loss of composure and dignity due to their past actions. The idea is being utterly disconcerted and overcome with shame.
because of the reproach of my youth ( עֶרְוַת - ervat / נְעוּרַי - ne'urai) - "Reproach" implies shame, disgrace, or ignominy. "Youth" here refers to the early period of their nationhood or individual spiritual life when they were impressionable and led into sin. It's the shame associated with their youthful sins and apostasy, like idolatry.
Words/Group Analysis:
- "turned back... repented" (shuv... nacham): The repetition emphasizes a completed cycle of turning away and then a heartfelt turning back to God, leading to a genuine change.
- "smote my thigh... ashamed... confounded" (taph... bush... charad/mevullah/hichlamti): This group of words describes the physical and emotional manifestation of deep, unfeigned repentance and shame over past wrongdoing.
- "reproach of my youth": This phrase encapsulates the origin of their shame—the sins committed when they were spiritually young and vulnerable, leading to a disreputable status.
Jeremiah 31 19 Bonus section
The concept of God's chastening leading to repentance is a significant theme throughout Scripture. Hosea, often called the prophet of divine love in brokenness, extensively uses the metaphor of a marital relationship to describe God's relationship with Israel, portraying their apostasy as adultery and God's discipline as the means of their return. Jeremiah 31:19 is a personal response that exemplifies the broader prophetic promises of a new heart and a transformed people. The "reproach of my youth" can also be seen as a prophetic echo of Adam's fall, where humanity's initial steps into independence from God led to shame and a loss of innocence. The fulfillment of this verse is often linked to the outpouring of the Spirit that brings conviction and repentance, as seen in Acts 2 and Zechariah 12:10, where people will mourn for piercing the one they have come to know as God.
Jeremiah 31 19 Commentary
This verse describes the ultimate fruit of God's chastisement and faithfulness: genuine, deep repentance. Ephraim, representing the people of Israel, after experiencing the consequences of sin and receiving divine instruction, performs acts that signify profound sorrow and shame. The striking of the thigh is a physical manifestation of this deep remorse. Their shame is specifically linked to the "reproach of their youth"—the early sins, likely including idolatry and straying from God's ways when they were newly formed as a nation. This repentance isn't just a superficial act; it's a turning back ("shuv") that is accompanied by sorrow ("nacham"), resulting in a complete reassessment of their actions. The intensity of their confusion and shame indicates a complete realization of the gravity of their sin against a loving and patient God. This personal experience mirrors the prodigal son's return (Luke 15), where the son, after repentance, feels ashamed of his past conduct before his forgiving father. The verse anticipates a future when the people will reflect on their past wanderings and feel this humbling shame, paving the way for full restoration under the new covenant. This highlights that true restoration involves not just outward forgiveness but inward sorrow and a reckoning with past sin.